Annie: I felt as if I was Mallamma

Annie: I felt as if I was Mallamma

Annie, a class VI student, has been acting in Telugu films since the age of three, and has 25 movies to her credit so far. Born and brought up in Hyderabad to Malayalam speaking parents, Annie has given endearing performances in Athidi, Stalin, Ek Niranjan, Swagatham, and Vikramarkudu, among others.

She has acted with the likes of Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Jagapathi Babu, Gopichand, Ravi Teja, and Ram.

She dubs her own dialogues in Telugu. She has also done a Bhojpuri film titled Shiva directed by Dinesh Yadav.

In her most recent film Rajanna, Annie stole hearts with her poignant performance as Mallamma. She talks about what it was like to play the role and her experiences of the just released Rajanna.

How did you get the role in Rajanna?

I heard about the project from my agent. Sriman of Annapoorna Studios narrated the story. I heard my part of it.

'It was not difficult to play Mallamma'

Did Rajamouli and Vijayendra Prasad (the film's directors) help you portray the role of Mallamma?

Vijayendra Prasad uncle and Rajamouli uncle helped me a lot. Prasad uncle used to act out the part to show me what he wanted. The background songs also helped me. When the songs were played, I used to feel the emotions automatically.

How difficult was the role? You had to walk a long distance in the hot sand, be in a burning hut...

It was not difficult. Vijayendra Prasad uncle used to tell me clearly what I should do. Moreover, I liked the story. I even did a small stunt of rolling down when I set out on the journey to Delhi. I did it but later I cried as the bangles I was wearing pierced my hand and I was in pain.

Were you scared during the shooting of the burning hut?

I was scared. The fight master Vijay explained it to me. I cried but I did the shot. The cut was announced fast. Nasser uncle helped me a lot in this shot. I am scared of fire and water.

'I felt sad as I just had two shots with Nagarjuna'

I was very happy working with Nagarjuna and the crew. I felt sad I just had two shots with Nagarjuna in the film.

How did you manage your studies and film shoot?

The shoot was for 55 days. I took permission from my school. My teachers at the Indo-English High School, where I study, extended their support. Some days I had a full-day shoot, other times it was half a day, so I managed. My friends and teachers helped me.

Why do you like acting?

When I started to act at the age of three, I didn't know I was acting. By the time I was six or seven years old, I thought I would get a chance to see heroes and heroines if I act. I have made many new friends here now.